Speaking at a Fenway Park press conference less than 24 hours after the team was eliminated from the 2016 playoffs, Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski announced that John Farrell will return for the 2017 season.

"I think he has done a good job for us," Dombrowski said, adding that he feels the most important quality for a manager is getting the players playing up to their potential, as opposed to his in-game strategy. "A lot of people think they know more than the manager in terms of game strategy," he said.

The entire coaching staff will be invited back as well although Dombrowski did indicate that bench coach Torey Lovullo is free to be contacted by other teams for any possible managerial openings.

As far as possible roster changes, Dombrowski did not go into specifics but did say that he expects Pablo Sandoval to compete for the third base job next year.

Under Farrell's direction, the Red Sox won the 2013 World Series, followed by last-place finishes in 2014 and 2015. He missed 49 games in 2015 after being diagnosed with stage 1 lymphoma. The 2016 Red Sox finished 93-69 and won the American League's Eastern Division.